2022年3月23日，外交部驻港公署刘光源特派员在《南华早报》发表题为《同心抗疫 共筑香港美好未来》的英文署名文章，介绍中央支持香港特区抗疫的坚定立场和重大举措，强调在香港抗疫中，“生命至上”价值理念是首要遵循，“一国两制”制度优势是根本保障，同舟共济、团结一致是制胜法宝，并揭批内外反中乱港分子借疫乱港的不轨图谋。文章亦于当日在该报网页版刊登。全文如下：
同心抗疫 共筑香港美好未来
2022年岁首，全球范围的奥密克戎病毒来势汹汹，香港正面对极其严峻的第五波疫情挑战。香港抗疫不仅是特区当前最紧要的任务，也牵动着中央和亿万同胞的心。
习近平主席第一时间作出“三个一切”“两个确保”的重要指示，为香港抗击和战胜疫情指明了方向，也为香港社会注入了强大动力与必胜信心。
“生命至上”价值理念是首要遵循。中国在两年多的抗疫实践中始终坚持人民至上、生命至上，最大限度保护人民生命安全和身体健康，充分彰显了以人民为中心的人权理念。有人说，香港作为国际大都市应该放开防控措施，选择“与病毒共存”。持这种说法的人是不负责的。香港人口密度大，人员流动多，老龄化程度高，如果选择“躺平”，病毒将急速大幅扩散，严重威胁市民生命健康，正常的经济社会运转更无从谈起。正如中央援港防控专家组组长梁万年先生所言，当前香港抗疫的重中之重是尽最大努力减少感染，减少重症，减少死亡，尽最大可能保护生命。生命健康权是人权之基。老吾老以及人之老，幼吾幼以及人之幼，这是一个高度负责的政府和社会的应有担当。
“一国两制”制度优势是根本保障。从1997年亚洲金融风暴到2003年SARS肆虐，祖国从来都是香港抵御风浪、战胜挑战的最大底气。第五波新冠疫情之下，中央一如既往给予香港全力支持，照单全收，有求必应，“人是够的，物资也是够的”。短短7日，青衣方舱医院落成并交付使用；保障供港物资的跨境铁路货运班列迅速通车；香港紧缺的各领域人手陆续抵达，还有大批内地医护整装待发。这些都彰显了中央的关怀和国家的制度优势。同时中央坚定支持香港特区政府切实承担主体责任，发挥好组织领导作用，支持特区政府根据香港实际、结合过往经验、综合各方面意见建议，尽快制定和实施科学的防疫抗疫政策。有特区政府奋战在前，有中央和内地的强大后盾，有“一国两制”的制度优势，香港一定能够早日打赢这场疫情防控保卫战。
同舟共济、团结一致是制胜法宝。面对疫情，香港社会各界各展所长、积极行动。本地商家腾出酒店，工商界捐借土地用作隔离和建造医疗设施，民间慈善机构踊跃捐款捐物，各大社团纷纷动员人力物力，“全港抗疫义工同盟”动员近万名义工。一些私营机构也行动起来，还有无数医生、护士、工人和社区工作者坚守在抗疫一线，扶危济困、守望相助，其中不乏90后、00后的香港年轻人。大灾大难见大爱大义。一股“同心抗疫”的强大正能量不断汇集、凝聚，成为守护香港的中流砥柱。
香港也是众多外国在港人士和机构的共同家园。香港尽快稳控疫情、恢复正常生活，符合包括在港外国人士在内的全体香港居民的共同利益，也是所有人的共同责任。同舟共济、命运与共，不分社区、族群和国籍，这里的每一个人都是香港繁荣稳定的持份者，都应为香港尽快战胜疫情尽一份心，出一份力。中央和特区政府全力保障香港同胞和在港外国人士的安全与健康，将努力协助解决大家的合理关切。在港外国人士也要理解支持并积极配合特区防疫抗疫举措，以实际行动维护特区公共卫生安全，共克时艰，共护家园。
疫情是一面镜子，谁在勇毅前行、积极作为，谁在袖手旁观，甚至落井下石、趁火打劫，一目了然。那些抹黑攻击、挑拨离间、制造恐慌、唱衰破坏的言行，犹如病毒，终将被涤荡干净，内外反中乱港势力借机作乱的图谋绝不会得逞。
香港是一个不怕磨炼、经得起考验的城市。经历过去“黑暴”猖獗和疫情反复的挑战，在中央支持和特区各界团结努力下，香港已经走上由乱转治、由治及兴的正轨。香港战胜疫情，重新出发，将展现更强劲动力和更广阔发展空间，巩固提升国际金融、航运和贸易中心地位，带给世界更多合作共赢机遇。“一国两制”下，香港的未来必将更加美好。
我相信，只要大家齐心协力，携手踏崎岖，我们都热爱的香港一定能够克服疫情，再书写香江不朽名篇。到那时，愿与诸君再登太平山顶，共瞰东方之珠魅力风光。
Hong Kong will beat Covid-19 fifth wave through solidarity and cooperation
A new wave of Covid-19 infections, caused by the Omicron variant, has been sweeping the globe since the start of 2022, and Hong Kong is in the thick of its battle with the virus. This fight is Hong Kong's overriding mission and a matter of deep concern for the central government and all mainland compatriots.
As Covid-19 caseloads reached new heights in Hong Kong, President Xi Jinping issued decisive instructions that the local government should prioritise quelling the contagion, mobilise all available resources and take all necessary measures to ensure people’s health, and the stability of society. It showed the way for Hong Kong to turn the tide and instilled confidence into the public.
“Life first” is the abiding tenet. Throughout the pandemic, China has put lives and livelihood above anything else. It has pulled out all the stops to protect people’s safety and health, exemplifying China’s people-centred approach to human rights.
Some have argued that a global metropolis should “live with the virus”, yet it is divorced from the reality of a densely populated city with high mobility and a serious ageing issue. Hong Kong cannot afford to “lie flat” or the runaway virus will surely spiral out of control, ruining people’s lives and grinding the city to a halt.
Survival is the fundamental human right. Professor Liang Wannian, head of the team of mainland health experts in Hong Kong, has stressed that reducing infections, severe cases and deaths is Hong Kong’s top priority at this stage, and that the best effort must be made to protect human life. Honouring the elderly and caring for the young is a traditional Chinese virtue, and it is exactly what Hong Kong, a highly responsible society, has been practising amid this pandemic.
“One country, two systems” is the city’s greatest strength. Whether it was the 1997 Asian financial crisis or the 2003 Sars outbreak, Hong Kong has had the strongest backing from the motherland. It is still the case this time. With Hong Kong reeling from the fifth wave, the central government once again responded swiftly to all its requests, including dispatching badly-needed medical staff and supplies.
Its assistance extends beyond that. The Tsing Yi makeshift hospital was up and running in about a week; cross-boundary railway cargo shipments were promptly launched to ensure a steady supply of goods to Hong Kong; and manpower in various areas that Hong Kong needed has arrived, with more on standby on the mainland to lend a hand. All of this reflects the care of the motherland and China’s institutional advantages.
At the same time, the central government firmly supports the Hong Kong government assuming primary responsibility and taking the lead in coordination. It encourages the local government to ramp up effective measures by putting into perspective its past experience, suggestions from diverse sectors and the situation on the ground.
The Hong Kong government is fighting all-out against the pandemic. With the central government and the mainland aiding on all fronts, and the strengths of one country, two systems playing a part, Hong Kong will claim victory at an early date.
Solidarity and cooperation are potent weapons. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that true love can withstand any disaster. In the face of the crisis, people from all walks of life have taken action.
Hong Kong business owners offered their hotels as quarantine units and property developers lent land for free to build isolation and medical facilities. Charities donated money and materials, social groups pitched in with personnel and resources, the Hong Kong Volunteers Federation mobilised nearly 10,000 volunteers and private organisations also contributed their share.
Doctors, nurses, porters and volunteers are working throughout the day and night against all odds. The younger generations are a crucial force among this group, with a large number born in the 1990s and 2000s. In Hong Kong, a strong, positive energy of fighting the virus together is building.
Hong Kong is home to many foreign nationals and institutions, so halting the fifth wave and resuming normalcy as soon as possible is in the best interests of all Hong Kong people, including international residents. It is also our shared duty.
We are all in the same boat and have a common destiny. Everyone in Hong Kong – regardless of community, ethnic group or nationality – is a shareholder in its prosperity and stability, and they should do their bit in this fight.
The central government and the Hong Kong government will go to great lengths to protect the health of Hong Kong people and foreign nationals while addressing their concerns. Foreign residents in Hong Kong should also understand, support and comply with anti-epidemic measures to safeguard their common home.
The pandemic will tell who works hard and who sits idly by and even adds insult to injury. Hong Kong has been through many trials and tribulations, but it has only emerged stronger with the support of the central government and various social sectors.
Hong Kong is moving into a period of stability and prosperity. After riding out the current wave, it will have greater development momentum, a stronger position as an international shipping, trade and financial centre and more win-win cooperation opportunities for the world. Its tomorrow will be brighter under one country, two systems.
I have the faith that as long as we pull together, the city we all love will pull through. When the pandemic fades, let’s go hiking on Taiping Mountain and enjoy the picturesque scenery of the “Pearl of the Orient” together.